SECTION 1.  Chapter 75 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2024 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting after section 36E the following section: –

Section 36F.  There shall be at the University of Massachusetts medical school in Worcester a nursing workforce center, formerly known as the Nursing Council on Workforce Sustainability, herein the Nursing Workforce Center. The purpose of the Center shall be to gather data, research, provide analysis to advise policy leaders on how to address the current and future nursing workforce needs of nurses and others who support nursing care, and provide recommendations to advance nursing science and practice in the commonwealth.  The Center shall be administered by an executive director who shall be appointed by the dean of the University of Massachusetts medical school. The Center shall be subject to the direction and oversight of the executive office of health and human Services.             

The Center shall:

(a)Convene a diverse group of key stakeholders including nurses, health care providers, business and industry leaders, consumers, state agencies, legislators and educators to collaborate on strategies to improve the nursing workforce and speak with one voice on issues impacting the nursing workforce.

(b)Conduct research on best practices and quality patient outcomes across settings. (c)              Prepare and disseminate written reports and recommendations regarding the current and future status and trends of the nursing workforce.

(d)Research, analyze and report data related to the recruitment and retention of the nursing workforce.

(e)Develop and implement strategies to recruit and retain nurses in the commonwealth.

(f)Recommend systemic changes to the nursing workforce pipeline.

(g)Disseminate the results of the reviews and make recommendations to the joint committee on public health, the joint committee on higher education, the house and senate committee on ways and means, the department of public health, health care stakeholders, consumers and other interested parties.

(h) Foster collaboration among members of the health care community to achieve policy consensus, promote diversity across the profession and within the health care workforce, and enhance the knowledge of nursing practice.

(i)Encourage initiatives to support nursing excellence through innovative strategies such as recognition programs, incentives for professional growth, and activities that enhance the visibility and positive perception of the nursing profession across the commonwealth.

(j)Prepare and disseminate an annual report on the state of the nursing workforce in the commonwealth and the work of the Center.

(k)Provide consultation, technical assistance and information related to nursing resources within and outside of the commonwealth and serve as a clearinghouse on nursing practice and nursing workforce data.

(l)Examine and engage in other matters deemed appropriate by the executive office of health and human services.